Born in Virginia — Richmond to be exact — international bestselling author David Baldacci is one of the DC area’s top literary talents. With his 1996 debut novel, “Absolute Power,” Baldacci quickly made his presence known as a serious force within the literary world. “Absolute Power” was adapted into a major motion picture directed by Clint Eastwood. To date, the author’s 26 novels have been translated into over 45 languages. With a law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law, Baldacci is well-equipped with an arsenal of knowledge to weave deftly plotted crime thrillers that keep readers coming back for more. In 2011, the novelist was inducted into the International Crime Writing Hall of Fame.

Hailing from the Nation’s Capitol, New York Times bestselling author Laura Hillenbrand has wowed readers with her epic stories of survival and overcoming adversity. Not unlike the subjects of her two wildly popular bestselling books, “Seabiscuit” and “Unbroken,” Hillenbrand has faced major challenges of her own. For the past 25 years, she has suffered from the debilitating effects of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), a condition that causes extreme exhaustion and often leaves the author bedridden and restricted to her Washington, DC residence. It is something Hillenbrand has said is “the fundamental struggle of my life.” Overcoming such hardship has been a theme throughout the writer’s two books. Her 2010 novel, “Unbroken,” which chronicled the extraordinary life and struggles of former Olympian and World War II veteran Louis Zamperini, was named by Time magazine as the best non-fiction book of 2010.

When one door closed, bestselling author Trice Hickman kicked the next one open. During the author’s college years, she dreamed of writing a novel, but the timing simply wasn’t right. Years later, Hickman turned an unexpected job layoff into the perfect opportunity to give life to the stories and characters that had inhabited her imagination. The author completed her first novel, “Unexpected Interruptions,” in five short months. Fast-forward to today, Hickman’s titles – including “Keeping Secrets & Telling Lies” and “Playing The Hand You’re Dealt” – continue to captivate readers as the author spins engaging tales of love and loss that leave her fans eager for more. Hickman’s latest, “Breaking All My Rules,” is sure to satisfy her loyal readers who are ready to enjoy another romp with the author’s zesty characters.

International thriller writer Tom Clancy is one of the world’s best known writers of espionage and military-based thrillers. The Maryland resident’s hugely successful career is highlighted by major motion pictures adapted from his novels including: “The Hunt For Red October” (1990), “Clear And Present Danger” (1994) and “The Sum of All Fears” (2002), with main character Jack Ryan portrayed by leading men respectively ranging from Alec Baldwin to Harrison Ford to Ben Affleck. Over the years, Clancy has signed book and multimedia deals estimated at nearly $100 million. The author is also part-owner of major league baseball’s Baltimore Orioles.

To date, bestselling author George Pelecanos has penned 18 thriller/detective novels set in and around the DC area. Before making it big, the author worked as a dishwasher, line cook, bartender and shoe salesman. In 1992, Pelecanos burst onto the literary scene with his debut novel, “A Firing Offense,” narrated by Nick Stefanos — a popular recurring character in many of the writer’s early books. The Silver Spring, Maryland resident has also written for television and once served as producer, writer and story editor for the HBO dramatic series “The Wire,” for which he was nominated for an Emmy. Pelecanos was also a writer and co-producer on the World War II miniseries, “The Pacific,” as well as an executive producer and writer on the HBO dramatic series, “Treme.”